Picture This

Check-In With Brian and Carl

Hello, All: Brian and Carl give a quick update on the status of what is going on with them personally and why a new episode of Picture This has not been released in a while. Not to worry, we will be back soon! So please keep us in your podcast feed.   All our best, The Picture This Team

Meet Dr. Barry Cronin, Inventor of Audio Description for Television

In this episode, Brian and Carl have the pleasure of talking with Dr. Barry Cronin, the person who invented audio description for television broadcast, and the person that the recent Barry Award given by the Audio Description Project was named for.  Also you find out how the sport of bowling gave him the idea. So sit back and hear about how audio description came about in the early days. To leave feedback, suggestions, or ideas for a future podcast on Picture This, please get in touch with th...

Museum of Fine Arts

In this episode, Brian and Carl meet with Jessica Doonan, Manager of Accessibility for the Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) in Boston, to discuss how audio description works in a museum setting. To leave feedback, suggestions, or ideas for a future podcast on Picture This, please get in touch with the Picture This team by emailing your comments to , or leave a voicemail at 857-302-2817. We may use your email or voicemail in a future episode. Show Notes: MFA Access Webpage: Contact info- Email: Con...

Use Your Imagination With Description of Children’s Videobooks

Join Brian and Carl as they delve into the world of audio description of children’s books. They speak to Richard Rieman, founder of Imagination Videobooks, a service that makes children’s books accessible to children of all backgrounds and abilities. Richard Rieman (Ree’man), “The Audiobook Wizard,” is an acclaimed authority on audio self-publishing. He has narrated and produced hundreds of Indie-published audiobooks. He is the author of the Global eBook Awards Gold Medal Winner in Writing/Pu...

Brian and Carl Go to the Movies

In this episode, Brian and Carl talk about what it is like to go to the movies. First we talk about the obligations of the movie theaters under Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) as it pertains to the world of audio description. After that we offer some advocacy tips on how to ensure a successful and pleasant trip to the movies. So get your favorite beverage, your favorite candy bars, and of course the buttered popcorn from your concession stand, get settled into your seat...

Maria Diaz of the Dicapta Foundation, Part II of II - Clearinghouse!

Do you get annoyed when a show that you previously watched with audio description switches platforms and then does not have audio description? On this second and final installment of our interview with Dr. Maria Diaz of the Dicapta Foundation, we talk about Dicapta’s dream project which is to create a clearinghouse and one-stop resource for audio description files to be housed so content creators can access the AD files.  Dicapta’s dream project is Access4All, a clearinghouse of accessibility...

Maria Diaz of the Dicapta Foundation, Part I of II

In the first of a 2-part episode, Brian and Carl are excited to interview Dr. Maria Victoria Diaz of the Dicapta Foundation. Dicapta has been producing audio description in Spanish for the last 15 years mainly with funds from the US Department of Education Office of Special Education (OSEP). They have been pushing and advocating for Spanish audio description to be incorporated as part of the implementation of the CVVA. Hear about the many issues they face regarding passing through the Spanish...

Roy Samuelson and the Emmys

Roy Samuelson, a veteran voice talent who has done narration for over 1,000 titles which include episodic television, theatrical releases, and streaming services, joins us today to tell us about his advocacy beyond being a voice talent.  We will discuss his work on increasing awareness of audio description with the Television Academy and the Emmys, his advocacy for quality audio description, and his belief that you cannot have quality audio description without the inclusion of blind and low v...

Audio Description and Streaming Services Panel , Part II of II

On this episode of Picture This, we feature the final installment of a panel discussion from the ACB Conference and Convention.  Carl Richardson, Co-Chair of the Audio Description Project, speaks with representatives from the major streaming services to discuss their products, services, programming, and offerings.  Featured guests include Melanie Goodman from Hulu, Martha Heller from CBS Viacom and Paramount+, Sarah Herrlinger from Apple, Mirka Pavlikova from Disney Studios, Allison Smith fro...

Streaming Services and Audio Description, Part I

Streaming Services and Audio Description, Part I On this episode of Picture This, we feature the first installment of a panel discussion from the ACB Conference and Convention.  Carl Richardson, Co-Chair of the Audio Description Project, speaks with representatives from the major streaming services to discuss their products, services, programming, and offerings.  Featured guests include Melanie Goodman from Hulu, Martha Heller from CBS Viacom and Paramount+, Sarah Herrlinger from Apple, Mirka...

Get Access To the Full Spectrum of Audio Description

In this interview, Brian and Carl sit down with Petr Kucheryavyy, senior manager of accessibility for Charter Communications. Petr tells us about Spectrum Access, an app that offers audio description and closed captioning with on-demand programming. Spectrum Access is available on both the Andoid and IOS platform.  Petr also takes the time to mention some of the other services and features they have available for the disability community.  Show Notes: Spectrum Access TV Commercial: . Spectrum...

Interview with Judy Dixon, technology writer, on her latest book on Audio Description

If you've ever tried to watch something on television that you were told would be described, only to find that there was no description, and wondered if you were doing something wrong, Judy Dixon’s latest book is for you.  Technology writer Judy Dixon joins Brian and Carl to discuss her latest book entitled “Audio Description:  What It Is, Where to Find it, and How to Use It”.  The book is available in multiple formats to purchase at the National Braille Press’s website at .  If you have any ...

Audio Description Project Conference 2021

In this episode Brian and Carl interview Kim Charlson, Immediate Past President of the American Council of the Blind (ACB) and Co-chair of the Audio Description Project.  They discuss the exciting and informative upcoming Audio Description Project Conference, which is part of the ACB Annual Conference and Convention taking place from July 16-July 23, 2021.  Please join Kim, Brian, and Carl as they discuss the many sessions that will take place during the convention. Topics include streaming s...

Interview with Clark Rachfal

Today, Brian and Carl sit down with Clark Rachfal, Director of Advocacy and Governmental Affairs for the American Council of the Blind. They discuss the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act (CVAA) in detail, its importance to audio description, and more. They discuss where the CVAA is today, how to file comments with the FCC on the CVAA, and the need to advocate for a new and modernized CVAA in the future. To leave feedback, suggestions, or ideas for a future podcast, pleas...

HBO MAX ROLLS OUT AUDIO DESCRIPTION

The long-awaited and anticipated addition of audio description to HBO MAX is finally here.  Brian and Carl talk about HBO MAX’s latest update and the addition of audio description to its service.  To leave feedback, suggestions, or ideas for a future podcast on Picture This, please get in touch with the Picture This team by emailing your comments to [email protected], or leave a voicemail at 857-302-2817.  We may use your email or voicemail in a future episode.  Links and...

Interview with Roy Samuelson

Interview with Roy Samuelson Today we talk with Roy Samuelson, a veteran audio description narrator of over 1,000 titles for theatrical releases, television and cable broadcast, and streaming services. He will talk to us about his commitment and passion for audio description, his podcast, his advocacy efforts to come up with a set of quality standards for audio description, and a national audio description awareness day which will take place in April. To leave feedback, suggestions, or ideas ...

Audio Description of Movie Trailers with Kensuke Nakamura

In this episode of Picture This, Brian and Carl sit down with Kensuke Nakamura. Kensuke was exposed to Audio Description after friending a blind person on Facebook and being told if their photos are not audio described they would not be connected as friends. From there, they realized the lack of Audio Descriptions on Movie Trailers. So they started doing them themself and created a YouTube page to host them. This in-depth interview covers such topics as their relationship with studios, strugg...

Meet Thomas Reid, Host and Producer of Reid My Mind Radio, Part II

Meet Thomas Reid, Host and Producer of Reid My Mind Radio, Part II  “You want to be seen. You want to be heard. You want to be included.”   Join Brian and Carl as they continue their thought provoking conversation with Thomas Reid of Reid My Mind Radio. The trio discuss why narrators should describe a character’s or person’s appearance and name people of color. They share their options on the lack of discussion on diversity, the need for audio description to be part of the production process ...

Meet Thomas Reid, Host and Producer of Reid My Mind Radio

Meet Thomas Reid, Host and Producer of Reid My Mind Radio  “You want to be seen. You want to be heard. You want to be included.” In honor of Black History Month, Picture This wanted to talk explicitly about race and audio description. We were honored to be able to interview Thomas Reid, a true Renaissance man. Reid is the creator and host of Reid My Mind Radio; he is also a free-lance producer, voice-over audio description talent, audio description consultant, consumer of audio description an...

Education, Dance, and Audio Description

Education, Dance, and Audio Description In this episode, Brian and Carl talk to Cheryl Cumings, Founder and President of Our Place Our Space, an innovative after school program for young blind and visually impaired students. We also speak with Ruth Kahn, audio describer from Words and Deeds. Cheryl and Ruth discuss the innovative use of Audio Description to help young students learn about dance and ballet movements.  Audio Description also allows the students to explore their journeys as youn...

Meet The Hosts of Talk Description To Me

Meet The Hosts of Talk Description To Me In this episode, Brian and Carl interview Christine Mailet and J.J. Hunt from the podcast Talk Description To Me. It is a podcast where the visuals of current events and the world around us get hashed out in description-rich conversations. J.J. Hunt is an innovative Audio Describer and a natural-born storyteller. Christine Malec is a perpetually inquisitive member of the blind and partially sighted community who’s always wondering about something. In T...

Audio Description in Canada

Audio Description in Canada: Interview with Dr. Fels and Margot Whitfield Today we interview Dr. Fels from Ryerson University along with her colleague Margot Whitfield to learn about what is going on with Audio Description in Canada. Dr. Fels has dedicated her entire career to the study and application of inclusive media in theater, gaming, television, film, music and more. She has focused particularly on audio description and captioning. Join us as we learn about some of her findings and als...

Christmas Special 2020 and Audio Description

In this episode, Carl and Brian are joined by Fred Brack, Manager of the Audio Description Project’s website.  Fred gave all of us who love audio description an early Christmas present in that he compiled a very special list of Christmas themed videos with audio description for all of us to watch. Did you know that over 100 movies are available with audio description from streaming services or on DVD?  Neither did we!  That’s why ADP researched this topic and compiled a listing for users of t...

Interview with Tanja Milojevic, Voiceover Artist

Interview with Tanja Milojevic, Voiceover Artist In this episode, we interview Tanja Milojevic’s, a voice over talent who has recently started to do voice narration for audio description. She tells her story about what it is like to get into this world as a voiceover talent who also happens to be blind.  Along with her inspirational story, you will hear advice and suggestions and ideas for other visually impaired individuals who may want to get into this growing field! Tanja is an inspiration...

Audio Description Update November 2020

Audio Description Update November 2020   In this episode, Brian and Carl talk about recent changes to the 21st Century Video Accessibility Act (CVAA) and other changes put out by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). We also discuss update to the Roku player for Prime Video.   Show Notes: FCC Adopts Audio Description Expansion and Modernizes Terminology Links to the Public Notice: URL:       Word:        PDF:        Text:          FCC Audio Description Quality Guidelines:   FCC Announ...

The BADIE Contest and Audio Description

In this episode, we interview Dr. Joel Snyder, Director of the Audio Description Project, and Susan Glass, Chair of the Benefits of Audio Description In Education (BADIE) Committee for the Audio Description Project.  We learn what the BADIE Contest is and its important mission of trying to get blind and low vision children to learn the benefits of Audio Description early in life.

Announcement of Audio Description and HBO MAX

In this episode, Brian and Carl discuss the recent press release announcing the exciting news that HBO Max will have audio description and also be accessible. Brian was involved in the structured negotiations that help to make this happen so Carl will be interviewing Brian on what is in the agreement and what we can expect.

Audio Description and Live Theater

Audio Description and Live Theater Are you missing live theater during the pandemic? While we can’t get you a ticket to a live performance, we have the next best thing. In this episode, Brian and Carl interview Cori Couture, a veteran audio describer of live theater. Cori will talk about how audio description is created for live theater and her experiences. So sit down and wait for the curtain to rise and enjoy the show! Contact Info for Cori Couture Links to Discussion Topics: Talking Infor...

Audio Description of Democratic National Convention

Audio Description of Democratic National Convention.   Today on Picture This, we have a very special episode. Since it is election season, and we of course believe that all should have full and equal access to information to make better informed choices on how to vote, we interview Bridget Melton and Martin Wild, two audio describers from the Chicago area, who audio described live all 4 nights of the Democratic National Convention.   Show Notes and Links:   Audio described by Martin Wilde (wi...

Described Captioned Media Program and Audio Description

With the current situation of many students learning remotely this year, we have a very special episode. Today Brian and Carl sit down with Jason Stark from the Described Captioned Media Program, a streaming service that provides educational content to teachers, parents, and students in K-12 with sensory loss. This includes students who are hard of hearing, deaf, blind, low vision, and deaf-blind. Learn how DCMP makes their educational content available with audio description and how to acces...

Federal Communications Commission and Audio Description, Part II

In this episode, Brian and Carl continue their discussion with Will Schell from the Federal Communications Commission. We discuss why advocacy is so important  and how to go about it. To leave feedback, suggestions, or ideas for a future podcast, please get in touch with the Picture this team by emailing your comments to or leave a voicemail at 857-302-2817. We may use your email or voicemail in a future episode. To learn more about audio description, please visit the Audio Description Proje...

Federal Communications Commission and Audio Description, Part I

In this episode, Brian and Carl speak with Will Schell from the Federal Communications Commission. They discuss the landmark legislation the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010 (CVAA) which mandates audio description for  the broadcast and cable networks. To leave feedback, suggestions, or ideas for a future podcast, please get in touch with the Picture this team by emailing your comments to or leave a voicemail at 857-302-2817. We may use your email or voicemail ...

Streaming Services That Support Audio Description

Today, Brian and Carl discuss all the streaming services that support audio description. These are the ones we know of in the United States. They may be different offerings elsewhere.  Please get in touch with us if you know of any not mentioned. To leave feedback, suggestions, or ideas for a future podcast, please get in touch with the Picture This team by emailing your comments to or leave a voicemail at 857-302-2817. We may use your email or voicemail in a future episode. To learn more ab...

Interview with Dr. Joel Snyder

Interview with Dr. Joel Snyder: Brian and Carl interview Dr. Joel Snyder, Director of the Audio Description Project for the American Council of the Blind and President of Audio Description Associates. Joel started in the world of audio description back in 1981 and is considered to be one of the pioneers of audio description. Hear about his journey, thoughts, and what he thinks is the future of audio description. To leave feedback, suggestions, or ideas for a future podcast, please get in touc...

Get to know the Hosts

Get to know the Hosts